What is metacognition?

In this episode, I talk about metacognition, which can be described as knowledge and understanding of your own thinking.

I talk about the 3 main components of metacognition:

1. Person knowledge - thinking about how you think and feel
2. Task knowledge - thinking about the task
3. Strategy knowledge - thinking about the best strategies to complete the task.

Here's a simple overview.

In this episode, I look at how you can identify a useful goal and then create a basic learning plan by asking 6 questions.

This works even better when you discuss these questions with a mentor, teacher, coach, or supportive friend.

1. What do you want / need to learn / improve? - Identify skill /task X.
2. Why do you want / need to learn / improve X? - Identify purpose
3. What's stopping you from learning / improving X? - Identify obstacles
4. What's a good way to learn/improve X? - Identify options
5. What tools/materials can help you learn/improve X? - Identify resources
6. Who can help you learn/ improve X? - Identify collaborators.

In this episode, I look at the CEFR Self-Assessment Grid for C1. It's a useful tool to get an idea of your level of English when understanding, speaking, and writing.

Key takeaways:

• An overview of the CEFR
• Why C1 is a high level
• How the CEFR assesses understanding, speaking, and writing skills
• Why spoken production (monologue) is different to spoken interaction (dialogue)
• The importance of working with an English teaching professional to assess your skills.

Here is the CEFR Self-assessment Grid

Why are your receptive skills (listening and reading) better than your productive skills (speaking and writing)?

In this episode:

We'll discuss why your ability to understand a language is often stronger than your ability to speak or write it, and explore strategies to bridge the gap between receptive and productive language skills. Drawing on concepts like the "Noticing Hypothesis" and the "Output Hypothesis," we'll dive into practical tips for enhancing your speaking and writing abilities in English.

Key Takeaways:

• Why it's normal to understand more than you can express in a second language
• The importance of noticing language features like grammar structures, phrases, and linking words
• How to actively practice using new vocabulary and expressions
• Techniques for building productive language skills, including recording yourself and spaced repetition
• How output practice can help consolidate language into long-term memory

Tune in to learn strategies that will help you become a more confident, autonomous English speaker and writer!